Actuator means for use with aerosol dispensers

ABSTRACT

Actuator means adapted for securement to an aerosol container including a cap, a dispensing nozzle, and a toggle-type actuator operatively associated with the cap and nozzle so that the application of manual pressure against the toggle-type actuator will operate the dispensing nozzle which is operatively connected to the valve stem of the aerosol unit to depress the valve stem inwardly and permit the contents of the aerosol container to be discharged therefrom, said nozzle having means cooperating with the cap to lock the nozzle against any reciprocal movement relative to said cap to prevent accidental movement of the valve stem and thereby prevent accidental discharge of the aerosol contents.

United States Patent [191 Ostrowsky et a1.

[451 Apr. 10, 1973 ACTUATOR MEANS FOR USE WITH AEROSOL DISPENSERS [73]Assignee: Federal Tool & Plastics, a Division of VCA Corporation,Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: June 23, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 155,870

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,515,316 6/1970 Green..222/505 X 3,404,814 10/1968 Wakeman ..222/402.13 2,686,652 8/1954Carlson et a] ..222/402.l l X 3,212,680 10/1965 Crowell et al. .222/4021 3 3,323,690 6/1967 Monahon ..2 22/402.13 3,422,996 l/l969 Lipman..222/402.ll

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerFrederick R. HandrenAttorney-Max R. Kraus [57] ABSTRACT Actuator means adapted forsecurement to an aerosol container including a cap, a dispensing nozzle,and a toggle-type actuator operatively associated with the cap andnozzle so that the application of manual pressure against thetoggle-type actuator will operate the dispensing nozzle which isoperatively connected to the valve stem of the aerosol unit to depressthe valve stem inwardly and permit the contents of the aerosol containerto be discharged therefrom, said nozzle having means cooperating withthe cap to lock the nozzle against any reciprocal movement relative tosaid cap to prevent accidental movement of the valve stem and therebyprevent accidental discharge of the aerosol contents.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to actuator means including a cap, a dispensing nozzleand a toggle-type actuator which may be used in connection with aerosoldispensers sothat by applying an inward manual pressure against thetoggle-type actuator the dispensing nozzle will be depressed to actuatethe valve stem to permit the contents of the aerosol container to bedischarged therefrom. The dispensing nozzle has means cooperating withthe cap for positively locking said nozzle against relative reciprocalmovement with respect to said cap and said valve stem and therebyprevents any discharge of the contents of the aerosol container throughthe valve stem during shipment and prevents the accidental operation ofthe nozzle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the foregoingcharacter which may be economically produced by'injection molding andmay be readily applied and used in connection with aerosol dispensers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS locked position and with the capapplied to an aerosol container.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the toggle-type actuatorin dispensing position depressing the nozzle and opening the valve stem.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the lower portion of thedispensing nozzle applied to the valve stem of the aerosol unit.

FIG. 5 is a view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the toggle-type actuator substantiallyin the position it occupies in the cap.

FIG. 7 is a view taken on line 7--7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a view taken on line 8'8 of FIG. 7, and

FIG. 9 is a central sectional view of the toggle-type actuator in ahorizontal position.

This invention is adapted for use in connection with aerosol containershaving a depressible valve stem and is applicable to the type of aerosolcontainers having a two-way valve in which two liquids or materials areseparately contained within the container and are simultaneouslydischarged through the depressible valve stem when actuated as, forexample, in hair coloring sprays where there is contained within onecompartment of the container a coloring material and in anothercompartment of the container a chemical and when the valve stem isdepressed both are forced out simultaneously from the aerosol containerthrough the same valve stem and are intermixed as they are discharged.This invention is likewise applicable to the conventional aerosolcontainer in which a single ingredient is discharged from the valvestem. The aerosol operated container and the depressible valve stemtherefor forms no part of this invention.

The conventional aerosol container,-indicated by the numeral 10 isprovided with a closure or mounting cup 13. The closure or mounting cup12 has a central opening partially through which extends theconventional depressible valve stem 14 which is spring biased and whichis normally maintained in its elevated or raised position to close thedischarge outlet through said valve stem. When the valve stem 14 isdepressed then the aerosol material in the container is dischargedthrough said valve stem. The foregoing is conventional.

The cap which forms one of the components of this invention is generallydesignated by the numeral 16. It is preferably injection molded ofplastic material. The top 17 of the cap has a central opening 18 whichcommunicates with a pair of opposed diametrically positioned slots 19.The central opening 18 and adjoining slots 19 are bounded by a wall orsleeve 20 which extends into the interior of the cap a short distancebelow the top thereof. The sleeve 20 has a pair of opposed diametricallypositioned splits 20 which are vertically alined with the slots 19. Thetop of the cap is provided with two pairs of spaced upwardly extendingprojections or ramps 21 defining a detent 23 between each pair of ramps.The detents are diametrically positioned and are at right angles to theslots 19. The ramps and detents serve as stops for maintaining thenozzle in its locked or immovable position relative to the cap, as willbe more fully described hereinafter.

The interior of the cap is hollow and the lower end of the cap has aninwardly extending annular lip or flange 22 which, as best shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, is adapted to engage the annular bead 13 on the containerfor the purpose of non-detachably securing the cap to the container. Theinterior of the cap is provided with a plurality of spaced verticallyextending reinforcing ribs designated by the numeral 24, the lower ends25 of which terminate above the bottom of the cap to rest on the top ofthe head 13 to properly seat the cap on the top of the can. The side ofthe cap is provided with a pair of diametrically alinedrectangular-shaped openings or slots 26 through which extend theportions of the toggle-type actuator member which are to be manuallyengaged. The interior of the cap adjacent the top thereof has aplurality of downwardly extending inclined ribs 27 which are alsoadjacent the sleeve 20. The ribs are in vertical alinement with theslots 26.

The toggle-type actuator generally designated by the numeral 28, bestshown in FIG. 6, is integrally molded of plastic material and comprisesa central section 29,

12 which is peripherally clinched to the container in The L-shapedsection 32 has an upwardly extending portion 42 with a laterallyextending portion or exten- 'sion 44 which is shorter than the portions42 but has a greater thickness. The portions 44 extend through thealined openings 26 of the cap and are to be manually engaged, as will beexplained. The central section 29 is of rectangular-shape and has acentral opening 46 which communicates with a pair of opposeddiametrically positioned slots 47.

A dispensing nozzle generally designated by the numeral 48 cooperateswith the cap and the toggle-type actuator 28 for dispensing the aerosolmaterial that passes from the valve stem 14. The nozzle has a tubularstem portion 50 and an annular disk 52 at the lower end thereof whichdisk has an annular recess 53 defining a shoulder 54. The interior ofthe nozzle stem, particularly adjacent the lower end thereof, isprovided with oppositely positioned and inwardly extending spacedhorizontally staggered projections 56, best shown in FIG. 4,whichprovides a tortuous passageway for the aerosol material passingthrough the dispensing nozzle to more thoroughly intermix the dischargedaerosol material before it is discharged. The lower end of thedispensing nozzle 48 is positioned on the valve stem 14 with the top ofthe valve stem in the recess 53 and abutting the shoulder 54 whichserves to limit the insertion of the nozzle on the valve stem. As bestseen in FIG. 3, the bottom of the annular disk 52 is adapted when thenozzle is depressed to be spaced above and not in contact with the top58 of the central portion of the mounting cup 12. The limit'or extent towhich the v valve stem may be depressed is determined by the structureof the valve stem and the operating spring therein which is known in theart.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dispensing nozzle 48 is provided witha pair of diametrically positioned upper ribs 60 which are inclined orslope outwardly as at 61 from the top towards the bottom. Positionedbelow but in spaced relation to said upper ribs is a pair ofdiametrically positioned lower ribs 62 which are inclined inwardly as at63 from the top towards the bottom thereof. The lower ribs 62 arevertically alined with the upper ribs 60. The portion of the dispensingnozzle between the upper and lower ribs is indicated by the numeral 64.When the dispensing nozzle 48 is positioned on the valve stem 14 it willbe frictionally held on said valve stem but may be rotated relative tosaid valve stem.

In assembling the unit, the dispensing nozzle 48 is inserted from thebottom through the central opening 46 and slots 47 in the centralsection 29 of the toggle-like actuator 28, with the ribs 60 and 62alined with the communicating slots 47. The nozzle 48 and thetoggletypejactuator 28 are then inserted into the cap 16 with thelateral extensions 44 extending through the cap openings or slots 26 andwith the upwardly extending portions 42 extending upwardly into theinterior of the cap, with 'the free ends 43 thereof abutting against theinclined ribs 27 and the sleeve of the cap. The central section 29 ofthe toggle-type actuator 28 will rest on the disk 52 of the nozzle 48and'the intermediate sections 30 will assume the position shown in thelocked position of FIG. 2, or the operating position of FIG. 3, wherethey are inclined outwardly towards the interior wall of the cap. Whenthe dispensing nozzle is positioned on the valve stem 14 it will befrictionally held on the valve stem but may be rotated relative to thevalve stem.

The spring (not shown) within the valve assembly of the conventionalvalve stem 14 will normally maintain the valve stem in its upperposition to close the valve stem and prevent any of the material withinthe container from passing through the stem. With the toggletype'actuator 28in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, where the nozzle islocked against being depressed or where the nozzle even when unlocked isin its elevated or nondepressed position, the valve stem 14 will remainin closed position. However, when it is desired to release some of thematerial from the container the dispensing nozzle 48 must be rotated, ifsame is not already in such position, so that the alined ribs 60 and 62on the nozzle are in registry with the communicating slots 19 of thecapand between the splits 20 of the sleeve 20. The entire unit is theninverted with the nozzle pointing towards the hair or other surface tobe treated and the extensions 44 of the toggle-type actuator 28 aremanually engaged and pressed inwardly causing the central section 29 ofthe toggle-type actuator to press against the disk 52 and in turndepress the valve stem 14 parallel with the axis of the container toopen the valve stem and permit the material in the container to passoutwardly through the nozzle. As long as the extensions 44 are manuallypressed inwardly, as in FIG. 3, the valve stem 14 will be depressed tocontinue the flow of material, however, when the extensions 44 of thetoggle-type actuator 28 are manually released the spring means operatingthe valve stem will cause the valve stem 14 to close the valve openingand at the same time will allow the toggle type actuator 28 to move tothe position shown in FIG. 2, although in inverted position since thetoggle-type actuator naturally tends to move towards its original asmolded position, providing a small amount of spring return action due tothe plastic memory of the polyolefin material.

When it is desired to lock the dispensing nozzle 48 against anyreciprocal movement with respect to the cap 16, as shown in FIG. 2, suchas, for example, when the unit is shipped or when it is desired topositively prevent unauthorized actuation of the nozzle, as by a child,the nozzle when in its elevated or nondepressed position is rotated fromthat shown in FIG. 3 to position the upper and lower ribs 60 and 62 outof registry with the communicating slots 19 and splits 20'. The upperribs 60 will then bein engagement with the top of the cap and will bepositioned in the detents 23 between the spaced ramps 21, and the; lowerribs 62 will engage the bottom ofthe split sleeve 20 of .the captoprevent reciprocal movement of the nozzle 48. This will lock thedispensing nozzle 48 against any reciproagainst the extensions 44. Inthe unlocked or operative 1 position, as in FIG. 3, the disk 52 of thenozzle 48 in engagement with the central section 29 of the toggle-typeactuator 28 will prevent outward withdrawal or removal of the nozzle48.In the locked position of the nozzle, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower ribs62 in engagement with the bottom of split sleeve 20 will prevent removalof the nozzle 48. I

As is clear from the foregoing, with the ribs 60 and 62 of the nozzlepositioned out of alinement with the communicating slots 19, no amountof manual pressure against the extensions 44 of the toggle-type actuatorwill cause it to operate and no movement can be imparted to the valvestem when thus locked. The dispensing nozzle 48 is thus locked againstmovement when the containers are shipped and also when it is desired tolock same to prevent the accidental operation of the unit by manualpressure against the extensions 44 of the actuator 28.

What is claimed is: p

l. Actuator means for actuating the valve stem of an aerosol containerfor dispensing the material within the container, said means including acap adapted to be secured to the container and extend over the valvestem, said cap having a top opening, said cap having an opening in theside thereof, a dispensing nozzle having the top thereof extendingoutwardly through the top cap opening, a toggle-type actuatorcooperating with said dispensing nozzle and valve stem, said toggle-typeactuator having means extending through the side 4 opening of the capand when manually pressed inwardly operating said toggle-type member tomove said dispensing nozzle to depress the valve stem to open thedischarge outlet of the aerosol container, said cap and nozzle eachhaving locking means integrally formed therewith which when inengagement lock the nozzle against reciprocal movement and preventdepressing the valve stem, said nozzle when rotated relative to said capdisengaging said locking means to permit reciprocal movement of saidnozzle for depressing the valve stem.

2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the cap has a pair ofdiametrically positioned side openings and in which the toggle-typeactuator has a pair of means each of which extends through said capopening and when said pair of means are manually pressed inwardly theywill operate the toggle-type actuator.

3. A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the dispensing nozzle isseparate from said toggle-type actuator but operatively connected tosaid toggle-type actuator.

4. Actuator means for actuating the valve stem of an aerosol containerfor dispensing thematerial within the container, said means including acap adapted to be secured to the container and extend over the valvestem, said cap having an opening in the side thereof, a dispensingnozzle, a separate toggle-type actuator operatively connected to saiddispensing nozzle and cooperating with said dispensing nozzle and valvestem, said toggle-type actuator having means extending through theside'opening of the cap and when manually pressed inwardly operatingsaid toggle-type member to move said dispensing nozzle to depress thevalve stem to open the discharge outlet of the aerosol container, saidcap having a central opening at the top thereof with communicatingslots, said nozzle having a plurality of ribs which pass through thecommunicating slots when thenozzle is moved inwardly to operate thevalve stem but which ribs engage with the top of the cap when the nozzleis locked relative to the cap.

5. Actuator means for actuating the valve stem of an aerosol containerfor dispensing the material within the container, said means including acap adapted to be secured to the container and extend over the valvestem, inclined ribs on the inside of the top of the cap, said cap havinga pair of diametrically positioned side openings, a dispensing nozzleand a toggle-type actuator cooperating with said dispensing nozzle andvalve stern, said toggle-type actuator having a pair of means, each ofwhich has an extension which extends through the side opening of the capand when said pair of extensions are manually pressed inwardly operatingsaid toggle-type member to move said dispensing nozzle to depress thevalve stem to open the discharge outlet of the aerosol container, saidtoggle-type actuator having a central section, an intermediate adjacentsection on each side of the central section and hinged thereto, agenerally L-shaped section adjacent each of the intermediate sectionsand hinged thereto with said L-shaped sections having a portion thereofforming the extension which forms the means which extend through the capopenings for manual engagement, said L-shaped section having an upwardlyextending portion positioned inside the cap with the free edge of samebearing against the inclined ribs and with the intermediate sectionpositioned inside the cap but below the extension so that when theextensions are pressed inwardly the central section will be lowered tooperate to open the valve stem.

6. Actuator means for actuating the valve stem of an aerosol containerfor dispensing the material within the container, said means including acap adapted to be secured to the container and extend over the valvestem, said cap having an opening in the side thereof, a dispensingnozzle, a separate toggle-type actuator operatively connected to saiddispensing nozzle and cooperating with said dispensing nozzle and valvestem, said toggle-type actuator having means extending through the sideopening of the cap and when manually pressed inwardly operating saidtoggle-type member to move said dispensing nozzle to depress the valvestem to open the discharge outlet of the aerosolcontainer, saiddispensing nozzle being reciprocally movable with respect to said cap,said nozzle having ribs cooperating with the top of the cap for lockingthe nozzle against reciprocal movement with respect to the cap.

7. A structure as set forth in claim 6 in which the top of the cap isprovided with detents which are engaged by the ribs on the nozzle forlocking the nozzle against reciprocal movement.

8. Actuator means for actuating the valve stem of an aerosol containerfor dispensing the material within the container, said means including acap adapted to be secured to the container and extend over the valvestem, said cap having a pair of diametrically positioned side openings,a dispensing. nozzle and a toggle-type actuator cooperating with saiddispensing nozzle and valve stem, said toggle-type actuator having apair of means, each of which has an extension which extends through theside openings of the cap and when said pair of extensions are manuallypressed inwardly operating said toggle-type member to move saiddispensing nozzle to depress the valve stem to open the discharge outletof the aerosol container, said toggle-type actuator having a centralsection, an intermediate adjacent section on each side of the centralsection and hinged thereto, and a generally L-shaped section adjacenteach of the intermediate sections and hinged thereto with said L-shapedsections having a portion thereof forming the extension which forms themeans which extend through the cap openings for manual engagement, saidL-shaped' section having an upwardly extending portion positioned insidethe-cap with the free edge of side of the central section.

9. A structure as set forth in claim 8 in which the nozzle has ribswhich engage the top of the cap and lock therewith to prevent thereciprocal movement of the nozzle.

10. Actuator means for actuating the valve stem of an aerosol containerfor dispensing the material within the container, said means including acap adapted to be secured to the container and extend over the valvestem, said cap having a pair of diametrically positioned side openings,a dispensing nozzle, a separate toggletype actuator operativelyconnected to said dispensing nozzle and cooperating with said dispensingnozzle and valve stem, said toggle-type actuator having means extendingthrough the side openings of the cap and when manually pressed inwardlyoperating said toggle-type member to move said dispensing nozzle todepress the valve stem to open the discharge outlet of the aerosolcontainer, said cap having a central opening at the top thereof withcommunicating slots, said nozzle having a plurality of ribs which passthrough the communicating slots when the nozzle is moved inwardly tooperate the valve stem but which ribs engage with the top of the capwhen the nozzle is locked relative to the cap.

1. Actuator means for actuating the valve stem of an aerosol containerfor dispensing the material within the container, said means including acap adapted to be secured to the container and extend over the valvestem, said cap having a top opening, said cap having an opening in theside thereof, a dispensing nozzle having the top thereof extendingoutwardly through the top cap opening, a toggle-type actuatorcooperating with said dispensing nozzle and valve stem, said toggle-typeactuator having means extending through the side opening of the cap andwhen manually pressed inwardly operating said toggle-type member to movesaid dispensing nozzle to depress the valve stem to open tHe dischargeoutlet of the aerosol container, said cap and nozzle each having lockingmeans integrally formed therewith which when in engagement lock thenozzle against reciprocal movement and prevent depressing the valvestem, said nozzle when rotated relative to said cap disengaging saidlocking means to permit reciprocal movement of said nozzle fordepressing the valve stem.
 2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 inwhich the cap has a pair of diametrically positioned side openings andin which the toggle-type actuator has a pair of means each of whichextends through said cap opening and when said pair of means aremanually pressed inwardly they will operate the toggle-type actuator. 3.A structure as set forth in claim 1 in which the dispensing nozzle isseparate from said toggle-type actuator but operatively connected tosaid toggle-type actuator.
 4. Actuator means for actuating the valvestem of an aerosol container for dispensing the material within thecontainer, said means including a cap adapted to be secured to thecontainer and extend over the valve stem, said cap having an opening inthe side thereof, a dispensing nozzle, a separate toggle-type actuatoroperatively connected to said dispensing nozzle and cooperating withsaid dispensing nozzle and valve stem, said toggle-type actuator havingmeans extending through the side opening of the cap and when manuallypressed inwardly operating said toggle-type member to move saiddispensing nozzle to depress the valve stem to open the discharge outletof the aerosol container, said cap having a central opening at the topthereof with communicating slots, said nozzle having a plurality of ribswhich pass through the communicating slots when the nozzle is movedinwardly to operate the valve stem but which ribs engage with the top ofthe cap when the nozzle is locked relative to the cap.
 5. Actuator meansfor actuating the valve stem of an aerosol container for dispensing thematerial within the container, said means including a cap adapted to besecured to the container and extend over the valve stem, inclined ribson the inside of the top of the cap, said cap having a pair ofdiametrically positioned side openings, a dispensing nozzle and atoggle-type actuator cooperating with said dispensing nozzle and valvestem, said toggle-type actuator having a pair of means, each of whichhas an extension which extends through the side opening of the cap andwhen said pair of extensions are manually pressed inwardly operatingsaid toggle-type member to move said dispensing nozzle to depress thevalve stem to open the discharge outlet of the aerosol container, saidtoggle-type actuator having a central section, an intermediate adjacentsection on each side of the central section and hinged thereto, agenerally L-shaped section adjacent each of the intermediate sectionsand hinged thereto with said L-shaped sections having a portion thereofforming the extension which forms the means which extend through the capopenings for manual engagement, said L-shaped section having an upwardlyextending portion positioned inside the cap with the free edge of samebearing against the inclined ribs and with the intermediate sectionpositioned inside the cap but below the extension so that when theextensions are pressed inwardly the central section will be lowered tooperate to open the valve stem.
 6. Actuator means for actuating thevalve stem of an aerosol container for dispensing the material withinthe container, said means including a cap adapted to be secured to thecontainer and extend over the valve stem, said cap having an opening inthe side thereof, a dispensing nozzle, a separate toggle-type actuatoroperatively connected to said dispensing nozzle and cooperating withsaid dispensing nozzle and valve stem, said toggle-type actuator havingmeans extending through the side opening of the cap and when manuallypressed inwardly operating said toggle-type member to move saiddispensing nozzle to depress the valve sTem to open the discharge outletof the aerosol container, said dispensing nozzle being reciprocallymovable with respect to said cap, said nozzle having ribs cooperatingwith the top of the cap for locking the nozzle against reciprocalmovement with respect to the cap.
 7. A structure as set forth in claim 6in which the top of the cap is provided with detents which are engagedby the ribs on the nozzle for locking the nozzle against reciprocalmovement.
 8. Actuator means for actuating the valve stem of an aerosolcontainer for dispensing the material within the container, said meansincluding a cap adapted to be secured to the container and extend overthe valve stem, said cap having a pair of diametrically positioned sideopenings, a dispensing nozzle and a toggle-type actuator cooperatingwith said dispensing nozzle and valve stem, said toggle-type actuatorhaving a pair of means, each of which has an extension which extendsthrough the side openings of the cap and when said pair of extensionsare manually pressed inwardly operating said toggle-type member to movesaid dispensing nozzle to depress the valve stem to open the dischargeoutlet of the aerosol container, said toggle-type actuator having acentral section, an intermediate adjacent section on each side of thecentral section and hinged thereto, and a generally L-shaped sectionadjacent each of the intermediate sections and hinged thereto with saidL-shaped sections having a portion thereof forming the extension whichforms the means which extend through the cap openings for manualengagement, said L-shaped section having an upwardly extending portionpositioned inside the cap with the free edge of same bearing against theunderside of the top of the cap and with the intermediate sectionpositioned inside the cap but below the extension so that when theextensions are pressed inwardly the central section will be lowered tooperate to open the valve stem, said dispensing nozzle having a stem anda bottom flange and in which the dispensing nozzle is separate from thetoggle-type actuator, and in which the central section has an openingthrough which extends the stem of the dispensing nozzle with the flangeengaging the underside of the central section.
 9. A structure as setforth in claim 8 in which the nozzle has ribs which engage the top ofthe cap and lock therewith to prevent the reciprocal movement of thenozzle.
 10. Actuator means for actuating the valve stem of an aerosolcontainer for dispensing the material within the container, said meansincluding a cap adapted to be secured to the container and extend overthe valve stem, said cap having a pair of diametrically positioned sideopenings, a dispensing nozzle, a separate toggle-type actuatoroperatively connected to said dispensing nozzle and cooperating withsaid dispensing nozzle and valve stem, said toggle-type actuator havingmeans extending through the side openings of the cap and when manuallypressed inwardly operating said toggle-type member to move saiddispensing nozzle to depress the valve stem to open the discharge outletof the aerosol container, said cap having a central opening at the topthereof with communicating slots, said nozzle having a plurality of ribswhich pass through the communicating slots when the nozzle is movedinwardly to operate the valve stem but which ribs engage with the top ofthe cap when the nozzle is locked relative to the cap.